Visual Arts Education
In both the classroom and the studio, Kristin Anclien views art-making as a tool for self-discovery and critical thinking. Guiding visual arts and technology initiatives, she designs projects where technical skill is simply the launchpad—using drawing, painting, and digital media to help students sharpen observation, cultivate patience, and articulate their ideas. By balancing thoughtful structure with open-ended exploration, she creates an environment where learners feel empowered to take creative risks and take pride in their work.
Open Flames
2026
Cardboard Faces
2025
Hexapod Life
2024
In this project, we stepped into the role of entomologists and began a scientific study of hexapods by looking closely at the intricate lines and shapes of chosen insects. Students put their observational skills to work, rendering realistic sketches directly from research. Next, they scaled up their designs using the grid technique to create larger-than-life drawings. After transferring and cutting these oversized forms out of cardboard, students brought them to life using color, pattern, and texture to echo the real-world details they observed in their research.Bird Watching
2023
Fifth and sixth graders took flight with a study of line and shape, using birds as their creative inspiration. While fifth graders focused their studies on pigeons, sixth graders selected a species of their own choice. The project began with close photographic observation, followed by a cycle of drafting, peer critique, and revision. Once their designs were refined, students built cardstock templates to trace and cut out their shapes in cardboard. After assembling and painting their sculptures with acrylics, students wrote clever bird profiles in lieu of a traditional artist statement, giving each creature a name, a set of quirky interests, and a claim to fame.